Implementing what works in alcohol policy: progress report on the SAFER initiative

Overview

Alcohol-related harm causes millions of deaths each year and remains a major, preventable obstacle to health, equity and sustainable development. This report documents progress since the 2018 launch of SAFER – WHO’s initiative to help countries implement the five most effective and cost–effective alcohol policy measures: strengthening restrictions on alcohol availability; advancing and enforcing drink–driving countermeasures; facilitating access to screening, brief intervention and treatment; enforcing bans or comprehensive restrictions on alcohol advertising, sponsorship and promotion; and raising prices through excise taxes and pricing policies. Formally mandated by the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022–2030, SAFER has become WHO’s main platform for turning political commitment into delivery – implementing what works, strengthening monitoring and protecting policy-making from commercial interference. Drawing on country experiences from Uganda, Nepal and Ireland, regional peer-learning across WHO regions, and a broad network of United Nations and civil society partners, it shows how SAFER is being implemented and adapted at both national and subnational levels. It closes by setting out the priorities for the next phase – consolidating and scaling progress under the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022–2030 and towards SDG target 3.5, the global commitments to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.